An economic review of artificial salmon [Oncorhynchus] propagation and management operations in Japan

This study investigates the positive economic effects of salmon propagation operations on salmon fishing areas in Japan. The effects of these operations had previously been measured biologically using salmons returning rates. However, few studies have been conducted from an economic point of view. Iwate Prefecture has one of the most advanced salmon propagation operations in Japan. In this study, we will therefore analyze the fishing area of Miyako fisheries cooperative. Miyako typically represents the Iwate Prefectural salmon propagation system where the private sector manages the operation and the number of released fry is relatively very high. Our findings are: 1) The fisheries cooperative directly manages the fishing operations of the set net fishery. The additional profits from these operations cover the cooperative's management costs. As a result, the necessary contributions to the co-op by members have decreased. 2) The fishermen involved in the set net fishery are cooperative members working as employees. They gain wages and secure a stable income through their co-op wages. 3) Additional profits from the salmon propagation operations are insignificant, but profits from the cooperative managed fishing operations are sufficient to cove the deficit. 4) The changes in the number of returning salmon is strongly dependent on the number of fry released and this in turn has a strong correlation between the propagation costs and the income from returning salmon. The income from salmon propagation operations is basically composed of prefectural subsidies and fishermen contributions. However, this support is insufficient to cover the operation costs. Therefore, the unification between salmon propagation and fishing operations has been established to achieve the fisheries objectives